Formerly known as Fateh Maidan, the Lal Bahadur Shastri stadium is located in Hyderabad, India. The stadium is named after former Prime Minister - Lal Bahadur Shastri. The ground hosted its first Test in 1955, when India faced New Zealand. The fact that the stadium has staged only three Test matches so far shows that the ground never gained the stature of India's other top-class venues. With the coming up of the spanking new Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, the Lalbahadur Shastri stadium faces the prospect of fading into oblivion. Nevertheless, in the few occasions, the stadium has produced some exhilarating cricketing encounters. Read on to know more about Lal Bahadur Shastri cricket stadium.

Located behind the police control room, between the Nizam College and Public Gardens, in Hyderabad, Lal Bahadur Shastri stadium has played host to a number of national and international sporting events. It has a seating capacity of 25000 spectators. The stadium also houses shopping complex, an indoor stadium and a swimming pool. The pitch of the ground is slow and batsman-friendly, well liked by the slow bowlers. Flood light facilities for the ground were provided in 1992, when West Indies played against Zimbabwe at the Hero Cup. In the recent past, the ground played host to the Indian Cricket League matches. It is the home ground for the 2008 Edelweiss 20's Challenge winners Hyderabad Heroes.

Test Matches
According to the records, Lal Bahadur Shastri stadium has hosted only three Test matches, each being played against New Zealand. The first Test match played at the stadium was in November 1955, when India was on a head-to-head competition against New Zealand. The match, which ended in a draw, had some scintillating performances by both the batsmen and bowlers. Polly Umrigar scored a double century, whereas Subhash Gupte picked up seven wickets. The second Test match was held in 1988-89 season.

ODI Matches
The first ODI match played at Lal Bahadur Shastri stadium was in 1983-84 season, when India registered a four-wicket victory over its opponent - Pakistan. Another ODI match was played between India and Pakistan in 1987, when the scores tied. However, India was declared the winner, because the team lost fewer wickets than its opponent. The 1992 Hero Cup match between West Indies and Zimbabwe was the first day/night ODI match played at the stadium. The second match of the 5-ODI series between India and New Zealand in 1999-2000 season was also played at Lal Bahadur Shastri stadium.

Records

Polly Umrigar scored India's first Test double century at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in November 1955.

Lal Bahadur Shastri stadium witnessed a record-shattering 331-run partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in the 1999-2000 tour of New Zealand.

The highest Test total at the Stadium is 498/4 declared by India against New Zealand in the 1955/56 season

The lowest Test total at the Stadium is 89 by India against New Zealand in the 1969/70 season

The highest ODI total at the ground is 376/2 by India against New Zealand in the 1999/2000 season

The lowest ODI total at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium is 99 all out by Zimbabwe against the Wet Indies in the 1993/94 season